Diarrhea in 4 Month Old

Updated on May 02, 2010
E.W. asks from San Marcos, CA
27 answers

My 4 month old has had really bad diarrhea for the last 2 days. And of course he has a diaper rash to go with it. I have a call into my Dr. but she doesn't seem in a hurry to get back to me. Any suggestions on how to handle this? He is not running a fever, is eating ok, probably even more. Could he be teething?

1 mom found this helpful

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N.W.

answers from San Diego on

I know this sounds wierd but have you tried Rice Milk? My daughter had a stomach flu at 8 months and it was really bad. We gave her some rice milk and some rice and it stopped the diarrhea pretty quickly. As in the same day. Good luck.

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R.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Probably teething. Is he on baby food yet? If so, try giving him bananna's and rice cereal. That should help bind him up.

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D.L.

answers from San Diego on

Yes, he could be teething and the homeopathic remedy Chamomila in a 30c (can get at any health food store and even CVS) helps with the symptoms.

Good luck,
D.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Oh my, I would be irritated my Doctor did not get back to me.
Just take her in... it could be a virus, or just something else.
The Doctor has to check it.

"bad diarrhea" in a baby HAS to be checked.
MAKE SURE he is NOT getting dehydrated... this is important.
Make sure he is still nursing as well, on demand. If he is not feeding as he should, this can also be a concern.

Call your Doctor back, make an appointment, don't ask, just take him in. DON"T second guess it... diarrhea causes dehydration... if anything, the Doctor should be watching for this as well.

take care,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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B.S.

answers from Miami on

it could be teething but its best to go to a chemist and get some ors liquid it makes sure they dont dehydrate and then just let the bug / teething run its course hopfully it will go away just ask if 4month old is allowed ors liquid

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K.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

Could be a virus of some sort, could be teething or it could be an allergy. Chances are if you havent tried any new foods lately then its probably just a small virus or teething. My boys had something similar a month and a half ago. The diaper rash was horrible. What helped for us was to put vasaline on their butts, we put them in a bigger diaper so it would be a little more airy and we kept them just in a shirt, no pants. At night we made sure to put LOTS of desitin cream on. It should pass. Make sure he is getting lots of fluids...that is what they worry about with diarrhea.

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A.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

E.,
my 2 months old has the same problem. i is going on now for a month. we already visited our Dr. twice. he says that it is fine nothing to wory about, as long as she eats and drinks and is active and in good mood.
for diaper rash use Mustella cream. really good!!!

A.

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L.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you are still nursing it will clear it up fairly quickly. Usally with a 4 month old it lasts about a week. Just make sure he does not get dehydrated.

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L.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

not sure what he is eating to cause teh diarrhea, but the diaper rash can be treated and avoided by using plain old corn starch. ihave used for my son since he was born - he is now 8 months nad has never had a diaper rash.

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Unless he's acting sick, I wouldn't worry. At four months old, I wouldn't give him any pedialite or any of that stuff - just keep nursing him.
Does he have other teething symptoms? My 4-month-old has started teething, and the Chamomila really helps. There's even some homeopathic medication that's prepared in water & in single doses, made by Boiron. It's called Camilia and esp. for teething.

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J.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

He could be teething. You may also want to lookat his diet. Have you added anything new? To help slow his diarrhea, try the BRAT diet...banannas, rice, applesauce and toast. This really works.
For the diaper rash I would suggest using A&D ointment (the clear kind) and regular kitchen cornstarch. Im not sure why this combination works but it is almost miraculous!
My son had only one diaper rash in his diaper days, and it was a yucky one. I tried all of the expensive things, and everything the doctor suggested, then went to this combination and it was gone within 48 hours! I have directed childcare centers and have suggested this combination to countless parents with great results.

Good luck. Also, stop using wipes and use a simple washcloth or papertowels!

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G.R.

answers from San Diego on

had the same problem. you need some acidopholis. not sure about the spelling. safe for all ages. they have infant/childrens formula too. usually in the fridge section. if they only have adults just half the dosage. it worked immedialtey with my little one. give it to her for at least two days. it puts back the good bacteria back into there gut. i had to figure this out on my own the doctor didn't even know about it. to bad they don't study more about natural remedies.

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V.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I bottle fed and my kids had issues with milk-based formula, they got diarrhea really bad from it. When we switched to soy, it went away. They could not drink mil-based products for several years and then they outgrew the problem.

It can also be teething.

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C.J.

answers from Honolulu on

Definately teething, my 3mth old same thing, every now and then diarrhea no fever happy, so if no fever and eating and feeling well the doc will usually disregard your request. I believe it is normal this is my second child same simptoms, so no worry.

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A.P.

answers from San Diego on

There's a bug going around. My son has had it for almost a week. I just saw my Dr. Keep your baby hydrated, if on solids just do apple or banana with cereal. If there is blood in the stool, immediately call Dr., they will want to diagnose stool (that's why I went with my son-he was fine). Buy lots of diapers...keep it fresh to keep diaper rash down AND use wash clothes, not wipes! It's very irritating with diarrhea. If there is a change like fever again call Dr....and maybe consider a different Dr???
All the best

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S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

There are a lot of viruses going around this time of year. Has he had a flu shot? Is he acting normal, any fever along with the diarrhea? Just make sure he stays hydrated with pedialyte Popsicles and/or the prepared drinks. Look for signs of dehydration like sunken in eyes, skin that stays a white color when you press on it and doesn't turn pink again right away, and/or reduced urine output or no tears when crying.

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B.W.

answers from Honolulu on

It could be teething or if you are breast feeding it could be someting you're eating or had eaten.

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would agree with Susan, just take him in! My son's first battle with diarrhea was at this age, and of course diaper rash to go along with it and nothing got rid of it except for a prescription cream.

Call you doctor's office and tell them you need to bring him in asap...or just go.

Even if he isn't running a fever it could be a virus. I have read where teething causes fever and stomach upset, but my son's doctor said it's old wives tales and there is not link between teeth and your tummy.

Good Luck!

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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 16 month old just had a "stomach bug" which lasted for a week. She also had a really bad rash. My pediatrician suggested Pedialyte - which she hated and wouldn't take and I didn't like giving it to her because it's all chemicals. My yoga instructor suggested getting Kern's Nectar - watering it down, so it's one or two ounces of juice to 5 or so ounces of water (depending on how much your baby is drinking per bottle.) Add a dash of salt (replaces the electrolytes)

Also you may want to go get some probiotics - it helps rebalance the stomach - We got Metagenics Ultra Flora Plus DF (dairy free), we got the powder so you can just put a pinch of it in his bottle.

Our doctor told us not to give her milk until she was better (not sure about your baby since he's only 4 months old) - but yogurt is good (your baby probably isn't eating yet though)

The best advice I got was about the diaper rash. A friend recommended Aquaphor - and it cleared up in a couple of days - you can get it at Ralphs (or probably anywhere)

Double check all of this with your doctor, since your baby is 4 months old, I'm not sure if any of this applies (except for the Aquaphor)

Good luck!

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L.V.

answers from San Diego on

teething can definitely cause D. And teething CAN be the cause in your case...your baby is not too young. Mine started that young and never stopped till all her teeth were in. I would just make sure your baby is getting enough fluids and keeping up on the diaper rash... A&D ointment works really good...and call your dr again if it doesn't stop. Good luck

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P.K.

answers from Las Vegas on

yes he could be teething. Holy cow I would freak out if my ped didn't call me back. Diarrhea can cause big problems if your child becomes dehydrated. If you are still dealing with it Monday I would go ahead and take him in appointment or not.

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L.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi- Is your baby breast fed? Mine is formula fed, I put her on Similac Soy Diarrhea formula. Also- Diaper Rash... Yes, I know this, put your baby in the bath with baking soda, let her go diaper free here and there throughout the day, slather on Aquafor after and put on the diaper.( It's like a thick vaseline.) My dr suggested it and it works like a dream! Email me if you have any other questions... ____@____.com

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D.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Could be. My daughter had diarrhea for 2 weeks when she got her first teeth at 7 months.

Is he on formula or breast milk? If it's breast milk, have you had any new or high-allergy foods the last few days? Anything changed in his diet?

You're saying he's eating more, so it sounds like he's on solids. If he can handle it, try giving him bananas and applesauce until the diarrhea stops.

Also, for the diaper rash, try using Boudreau's Butt Paste with every single diaper change. Even though my daughter had diarrhea for 2 weeks, she never got a rash because we changed her quickly and used the Butt Pase with every single diaper change.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Did you baby just have his vaccinations in the past two weeks? This will cause diarreha and much, much more. Please educate yourself on vaccinations.

You did not say if you were breast feeding or using formula. It can be a strong reaction to something he is allergic to (vaccinations, milk/dairy, soy, eggs).

I'd have much more information for you if I knew the above questions:o)

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Open a capusle of PB8 and dump 1/4 of the capuslar conents in his mouth - sounds like it might be candida with the rash. Too much sugar from the formula ro something you ate, if you are breastfeeding.

This has straightened out the bowels of all of our babies within the day.

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S.W.

answers from Visalia on

well it is already sunday and im just checking my email...so im hoping he is better already. looks like you got some good advice. i agree if he is on food, to give him bananas and rice cereal. that is part of the BRAT diet my dr. always talked about and tends to work. also if you are nursing he would be more likely to have diarrhea. also you can give him water if he will drink it to replace fluids he has lost.

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Be very careful your little one doesn't get dehydrated; pedialyte or something like that works really well. Dehydration can happen really quickly and can be very dangerous for infants and children. Hope you baby is feeling better soon!

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